All Whites to play China in Auckland, Wellington All Whites v China

The schedule

WELLINGTON: The All Whites will play two home games against China next month, but without a new head coach.

New Zealand will play China at Mount Smart Stadium on March 23 and at Wellington’s Sky Stadium on March 26.

It will be the first All Whites fixtures at Mount Smart since 2014, and the first at Sky Stadium

March 23: March 26:

since 2017.

The side will be led by interim head coach Darren Bazeley.

New Zealand Football has completed interviews for the position following the departure of Danny Hay but has yet to confirm an appointment.

NZF said Bazeley would take on the role on an interim basis, in addition to being under20s head coach, after the leading candidate for the permanent All Whites head coach role had to be called upon to help manage a family health issue, meaning he was not able to take up the position before these games.

Chief executive Andrew Pragnell is excited to see the All Whites on home soil again, continuing the momentum of recent home fixtures.

‘‘Having our teams play at home is really important to us, the team, the fans and to continue building the game in New Zealand.

‘‘The year ahead looks exciting for the men’s programme.

‘‘We will be hosting the Paris 2024 Olympics OFC qualification tournament for the men in New Zealand in September and have some incredible games in Europe in the works for the June, October and

November windows.

‘‘We had planned to have the new permanent All Whites head coach in place for the March window, but due to a personal family situation for our leading candidate, this wasn’t possible.

‘‘We didn’t, however, want this to delay the team playing so want to thank Darren Bazeley for stepping up from under20s head coach to take on the team on an interim basis.’’

In addition to the All Whites games, the men’s under23 side will also play a curtainraiser against China’s under23 team before both fixtures.

The under23 side for this window will be coached by Wellington Phoenix academy director Paul Temple. — RNZ